Massive Antonov aircraft lands in Auckland carrying Taylor Swift's concert set-up

Kiwi planespotters can thank Taylor Swift for the Wednesday afternoon delight of an unusually massive visitor touching down at Auckland International Airport.

The Ukrainian-built Antonov freighter flew into the city from Brisbane carrying stage equipment for the 'Shake It Off' hitmaker's upcoming concert.

The aircraft is 10m longer and wider than the Airbus A380 flown by commercial airlines such as Emirates and weighs a whopping 640 tonnes.

Despite its huge size, the aircraft likely only had around five people onboard, all of whom would've been working in the cockpit.

Kiwi planespotters can thank Taylor Swift for the Wednesday afternoon treat.
Kiwi planespotters can thank Taylor Swift for the Wednesday afternoon treat. Photo credit: Ollie Dale

There's more images of this massive aircraft on the Newshub Travel Facebook group.

It's believed the aircraft is the first of two giant freighters bringing equipment to Auckland for Swift's show - but the performer herself will likely arrive on something much smaller and far more luxurious.

In the video above, from the aircraft manufacturer, the Antonov appears to defy gravity as it takes off at a relatively low speed.

Swift is performing at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium on Friday as part of her Reputation tour.

In the US, the show's gigantic production was said to require 52 trucks of staging, 30 trucks of steel and four cranes to put together.

Newshub.